Vehicle-gear



(No Model.)

J. N. BROWN. VEHICLE GEAR.

Patented July 5,,188'7..

al -3h WIITIESEEEL T .111 patents to J. iVelsh,

JOHN N. BROl/VN, OF NE? LONDON, CONNECTICUT.

VEHICLE-GEAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 365,786, dated July- 5, 1887.

Application filed July 15, 1886. Serial No. 208,068. (No model.)

To aZLwhom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN N. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residingat New Lon don, New London county, Connecticut, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Vehicles, which improvement is fully set forth and described in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a rear elevation of a vehiclegear embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my new form of gear with the several parts properly assembled. Fig. 3 is a detached View (enlarged) of the inner faces of the cirel'eplate and ring, which I prefer to use, and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the center of said plate as it appears 1n use.

My improvement relates to that class of vehicle-gears in which the body portion has heretofore'been suspended between so-called side bars, these side bars being in turn supported at each end by suitable cross-bars or springs, my object being to produce a gear which shall be strong in its parts, easy in action, simple in construction, and comparatively cheap to produce. I have also been able to dispense with nearly all of the wood-work so commonly used heretofore in this class of gears.

My device is applicable to various forms of axles,- bnt forcertain reasons, explained here inafter, I prefer to combine it with so-called crank axles having springconnections, substantially as shown and described in my patent, No. 318,863, dated May 26,1885; also No. 268,156, dated N oveinber 28, 1882, and to J. IV. Vhittic, No. 326,823, issued September 22, 1885. In all the gears of this class the crank or curved axles enable me to hang the body comparatively low, whereas if a straight or approximately straight axle were used the body would necessarily be well elevated. This, while not objectionable in every case, would prevent my invention from being successfully used in some forms of road-wagons and similar vehicles as now commonly used.

My invention consists, in brief, of combining with a gear substantially of the form patented by me May 26, 1885, (above referred 130,)

an inverted semi-elliptic spring resting on and secured to the spring therein shown. To the ends of this inverted spring 1 secure side bars of the common type, and then secure the body nected with the lower spring by a small circleplate, which Iform in two companion sections, 0.0, and secure to said springs by clips f or bolts. This plate is preferably of cast metal, and has in one section an annular groove, 71, in which I place a ring, z, of metal, having one or more lugs, 70, which fit corresponding recesses, k, in said grooved plate, to prevent the ring 2' from rotating in its seat. The ring forms a wearing-plate which may be replaced when desired without being compelled to furnish new main sections 6 6. Section 6 has a projecting annular flange, m, adapted to enter the groove it, above referred to, and rests on ring 2', the three sections being held together by a kingbolt, 0, which may also include the two springs, if desired. The inner faces of sections 6 e do not come into direct contact, but considerable intervening space is left, so that the upper section may yield slightly sidewise, thus allowing a slight rocking motion, in which case the lugs it serve astrunnions. Side bars, 1) p, are secured to each end of the inverted spring E, and are further connected and stiffened by transverse bars, t 15, extending from side bar to side bar, to receive and support the body of the vehicle. Instead of bars it, brackets of any desired form could be used to connect the body-section and side bars; but I prefer the form above described, as it materially strength ens the gear.

To connect the front and rear axles, I have provided a reach, 8, of iron or wood, as preferred, said reach being clipped or bolted to the rear axle and pivoted to the front axle.

' All of the elements named may be formed of iron or steel, and are of such shape that they may be cheaply produced.

' I am aware that cranked axles in themselves are old, as I have hereinbefore stated; also, that two inverted semi-elliptic springs centrally connected have been described as applied to vehicle-gears. While I do not now seek to cover, broadly, either of these ele inentary parts, (cranked axle or semi-elliptic spring,) I do claim the following combination y of such parts asmy invention.

Having thus described my invention, 1' claim- The hereindescribed improvement in car- 15 riage-gears, consisting of a cranked axle, a semi-elliptic spring connected to the angles of the axlein a mannersubstantially as described,

and an inverted semi-elliptic spring secured centrally to said axle-spring, all being com- 20 bined substantially as specified.

JOHN N. BROWVN.

Witnesses:

FRANK H. ALLEN, TYLER J. HOWARD. 

